Fenland & West Norfolk Aviation Museum, with added Whirlwind.

Thanks Whitley

This is the correct story on the move of the replica Spitfire. Typically the BBC have ’embellished’ the truth somewhat.

https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/spitfire-aircraft-replica-now-in-museum-hands-after-being-loaned-by-heacham-owner-9067699/

To think that once upon a time the BBC was considered virtually inerrant…. They most certainly manage to mangle facts these days.

I just saw that this thread has been revived. I wonder what the fate was of the Whitley turret that I reported back in 2009. Whitley Project: any news?

PM sent sir

“Fully redecorated ” Hopefully not too heavy on the artex…….. best of luck to the museum in their bid to secure their future.

This is the correct story on the move of the replica Spitfire. Typically the BBC have ’embellished’ the truth somewhat.The Spitfire is now at the museum but minus wings until other exhibits have been re shuffled.
Still a nice item to see with the props now back in place. The whole purpose of the move is to try and raise the profile of the museum to improve visitor numbers. The museum has 4 years to raise funds in order to secure its future.

https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/spitfire-aircraft-replica-now-in-museum-hands-after-being-loaned-by-heacham-owner-9067699/

I just saw that this thread has been revived. I wonder what the fate was of the Whitley turret that I reported back in 2009. Whitley Project: any news?

Looks like a new exhibit has arrived at this museum: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-47937081

I see it was August 2009 that I posted my photos of the turret (post 50, above). I too wonder what the outcome was.

Hi All, did anything come of this turret, and are there any updates
Tony

shed man. Not a problem, always nice to be able to help in some small way. I will soon take you up on your offer of a visit to see whats going on now !

Thanks … Keith.

Thanks Keith

The gunsight is made from parts of my wifes broken sewing machine ( I didn’t break honest ) plus 3 castor cups ( Chair sits funny now ) The ventilator strip round the screen frame is made from electrical capping srtip, The rudder bar from various alloy and plywood. The pic in the polytunnel was taken at our open day in May, Ihope these pics have been of interest and maybe inspire someone else to make an exhibit on a shoestring

Once again thank you Keith for the publicity for the museum, not forgetting we need £15,000 to buy the land, I will try and do a thread on Phase 2 of the build ,which is in an advanced stage. Rest of cockpit.

The last batch of Ray’s (shed man) photos of the construction of the Whirlwind project as is at the museum. I think Ray is going to start a new thread for the phase two part of the project, but I am sure he will still pop in here to answer any questions on the post within this thread.

Keith.

Forgot to mention!!

Hello everyone, I forgot to mention the making of the oil gauges ( Those 2 red bits sitting on the vice ) These were made from balsa wood cut & filed to shape ,using a borrowed gauge from the museum as pattern. I then heated up some plastic and pushed the balsa into it giving a nice shiny finish. Remove plastic ,stick photo on balsa and paint the rest . put plastic on and there you have it. It took 2 days to make those and for their size took longer than anything else. I have just sent Keith the final 8 pics of Phase one,
Phase2 is getting there in my garage

looks good – thanks for posting. Yes, let’s see some more.

Roger Smith.

As they have not set the world on fire just yet ! lets wait a bit to guage reaction ? maybe these things always take time ….. evolution not revolution !

Thanks Keith.

Thanks Keith ( Again )

The last lot oof pic’s ,apart from 3 genuine instruments, all the other doals are photos set in coffee jar lids with plastic glazing. The screen frame is 1/2 inch wide mild steel drilled and bent with 4mm ply screwed to it. The lower part of the frame is from an electric heater ( It’s great when things break down ) Do you fancy another batch of pics Keith ?? or is that enough ??

As shed man told us above I have some more of his photos to post, showing even more of the construction of the Whirlwind nose section ….

Keith.

Slugs & snails & puppy dogs tails

Thats what Whirlies are made of. Hello everyone. Seriously the air tank is made up of 2 small bowls with a bit of bucket in between, the ammo drums ,as Keith said from small buckets with glazing strip for the ribby bits.
The cannon barrels are from a rotary clothes line plus a bit of 20mm bore scrap tube for the sticky out bit. the coolers on the muzzles are waste pipe ,as are the springy bits. The armour plate should read armour plyte as it was a brand new lump out of a skip down the road. The ribs for the nose section came from a 3ft round table top. More pic’s to follow if Keith doesn’t mind

Larry66. I am not realy the person to answer that question, that is shed man, who built the project, but he did mention that in an email ! it is an ‘ammo drum’ made from a plastic bucket ? What imagination ????

Keith.

Well thats pretty neat!

Larry66. I am not realy the person to answer that question, that is shed man, who built the project, but he did mention that in an email ! it is an ‘ammo drum’ made from a plastic bucket ? What imagination ????

Keith.